Interview Question: If you had to choose, would you consider yourself a big-picture person or a detail-oriented person?

Every job seeker out there should know that this work-style question is one that every recruiter wants to ask to see if you fit the job. If you’re a detail-oriented person, are you willing to adjust to circumstances that will help you look at the big picture even more? How about the other way around?

The Real Deal

Answering this question can get tricky. Why? Because employers prefer hiring someone who is detail-oriented yet can look at the bigger picture at the same time. Find it confusing? It is, but having both traits can really help you go a long way, especially if you’re building your career.

Which One Comes First

This question is usually asked to help employers determine how you work. While being detail-oriented is important, it is also vital to be able to look at the big picture in order to achieve a large goal. At the same time, it also works the other way around. If you can look at the big picture, having an eye for details is also a plus.

To answer, start with the trait that is best applicable to the job you are applying for. Let’s say you’re an accountant. It is better to state that you are detail-oriented yet you are able to recognize the bigger picture at the same time.

In case the job requires you to look at the bigger picture, get your point across by stating how you can think strategically in order to be successful and generate profit while being able to focus on small details that need to be decided upon.

Reflect on the Past

Call on your past experience in order to prove yourself to the employer. Has there been a time when you were able to use both skills in a successful project? If yes, feel free to share it.What did you learn from that situation? Has it made you a better employee now that you’ve grown so much as a worker?

What Weighs More

If you’re asked to choose just one trait, it’s probably better to rely on the bigger picture perspective. Why? Because big-picture jobs require a lot of strategy, creativity and ability to see future goals.

To put it simply, the higher up you want to be in the organization, the more you should be able to see the big picture. Since you want to work your way up, practice seeing the big picture and learn as you gain new experience.

Alan is the creator of Interview Success Formula, a training program that has helped more than 40,000 job seekers to ace their interviews and land the jobs they deserve. Interviewers love asking curveball questions to weed out job seekers. But the truth is, most of these questions are asking about a few key areas. Learn more about how to outsmart tough interviewers by watching this video.